Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument

For the past years, ERRIN and its members have been closely following the development of the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument, formerly known as Component 5. I3 is a programme funded under ERDF that aims to support the commercialisation and scaling-up of interregional innovation projects in shared smart specialisation priority areas.

Together with other partner organisations, we voiced the regions’ interest for the scheme as well as their concern regarding its implementation and budget. I3 Instrument was designed as a new funding scheme to accelerate innovation market uptake. It was even more relevant in the context of COVID-related challenges. In 2022 and 2023 ERRIN Smart Specialisation Working Group has organised meetings to facilitate the development of projects under current I3 calls.

I3 Expert Group

ERRIN was selected to join the European Commission's expert group on Interregional Innovation Investments Instrument - the I3 Expert Group. One of the co-leaders of the Smart Specialisation Working Group, Joanna Kubiak from Wielkopolska Region, represents ERRIN within this expert group (temporarily replacing another co-leader of the Smart Specialisation Working Group, Lucie Durocher from Region Sud). This close contact with the European Commission (DG REGIO) helped us to have a better grasp of the nature of the I3 and share with DG REGIO our suggestions and remarks.

Learn more about ERRIN's work on place-based innovation ecosystems here.

Latest Updates

By Hilary Webb

Blue Platform Workshop: Aligning funding in Blue Bioeconomy

A Blue Platform workshop, 'Aligning funding in the Blue Bioeconomy - the new I3 programme as an opportunity to facilitate interregional innovation investments', will take place online on 24 March.

By Etienne Rodzinka-Verhelle

Smart Specialisation WG coffee meeting: I3, and now what?

The first calls of the Interregional Innovation Investment (I3) Instrument have now been published. Smart Specialisation WG organises a virtual coffee break on the topic. Grab a cup of (real) coffee or tea and join us in an open discussion on the calls features and possible joint project development.

By Ewa Chomicz

Info Day: I3 Instrument work programme 2021-2022 and calls

On 9 December 2021, EISMEA is organizing an informative webinar on the Interregional Innovation Investment Work Programme 2021-2022 and the recently announced calls.

By Heidi Johansson

Smart Specialisation WG meeting: New opportunities for interregional collaboration in 2021 – 2027

We are happy to welcome you to the first Smart Specialisation WG meeting for 2021 which will focus on S3 and interregional collaboration. The meeting will take place on 17 May between 14:00-15:30.

By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

EWRC session: Interregional Innovation Investments

By bringing quadruple helix stakeholders together and stimulating key actors of the interregional innovation ecosystems, the intention of the workshop is to animate the debate on how to use public money to de-risk cooperation, accelerate innovation and unlock private investments.

Smart 2020 Conference: Place-based responses to the COVID-19 economic crisis

By Hilary Webb

Smarter 2020 Conference: Place-based responses to the COVID-19 economic crisis

An uncomping webinar will focus on short-term reactions to the COVID-19 crisis that relate to S3/S4 governance and what role it will play in the longer recovery.